Tag Archives: d’Arenberg

Wine of the week: d’Arenberg The Stump Jump Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot 2019

d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot 2019
Wine of the week: d’Arenberg The Stump Jump Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot 2019/$10-$18

Yes, that’s really the wine’s name – and it’s worth every syllable

Once again, Australian wine – once the scourge of all we stand for here on the blog – comes the rescue of those of us who are tired of paying too much for wines that are boring and bland.

The d’Arenberg The Stump Jump Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019 ($13, purchased, 14%) may have one of the most awkward names of any wine that isn’t Italian. And, no, I don’t know why it isn’t called something simpler, like “red.” But regardless of name, it’s a tremendous wine – both for quality and value.

Frankly, I have no idea how d’Arenberg did this. Yes, it is a fine producer, and the company’s wines have been on the blog several times over the past couple of years. But this red blend is a stunning wine that somehow — and at this price — is herbal, rich, full, and even a little spicy. It’s made with the grapes used in red Bordeaux in France, but there is an entirely Australian – and enjoyable – spin on the grapes.

Look for lots of red fruit (cherry, currants?) as well as terrific fine-grained tannins. And it’s not hot – the alcohol is not only surprisingly low for an Australian wine, but it’s balanced. And the bit of petit verdot (about 15 percent) seems to be the secret weapon, lending it an edge other wines might not have.

Highly recommended, and certain to make the Hall of Fame next year, as well to be one of the wines I taste again when it comes time to pick the 2023 Cheap Wine of the Year.

Imported by Old Bridge Cellars

Father’s Day wine 2018

Father's Day wine 2018Father’s Day wine 2018: Four wines that offer quality and value — because that’s what Dad taught you

The Father’s Day wine 2018 news releases have been landing in my mailbox for a month or so, and most of them bore me to tears. I mention this not to bash wine marketing again, but to note that the releases don’t understand what Dad wants. It’s not about spending money; it’s about value and pleasure.

Which is the point of this year’s Father’s Day wine post. Keep the blog’s wine gift-giving guidelines in mind throughout the process: Don’t buy someone wine that you think they should like; buy them what they will like.

This year’s Father’s Day wine suggestions:

d’Arenberg The Footbolt 2014 ($18, sample, 14.6%): Australian shiraz’s fall from grace should not apply to d’Arenberg, an Aussie producer that makes some of the most interesting red wine in the world. d’Arenberg does it by combining terroir, top quality grapes, and — believe it or not  —  high alcohol in a fresh and intriguing fashion. This is shiraz for people who love wine, and not booze. Highly recommended. Imported by Old Bridge Cellars

Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio 2017 ($15, sample, 13.5%): Prices for this Italian white are all over the place — probably because it’s more than the citrus-flavored tonic water of cheaper pinot grigios. Look for some lemon fruit and minerality, plus something that can only be called character. Imported by HB Wine Merchants

Zolo Signature Rose 2017 ($10, purchased, 12.9%): This Argentine pink reminds me why I love wine — a $10 wine bought with no expectations and that gave me more than a bottle of enjoyment. It’s a syrah blend with lots of just ripe strawberry fruit, but not too heavy, too fruity, or sweet at all. Highly recommended. Imported by Vino del Sol

Gloria Ferrer Brut Rose NV ($25, sample, 12.5%): I drank this at the Friday night reception at this year’s Critic’s Challenge. And then I drank some more. And some more. It’s beautiful, well-made, and delicious — tight bubbles, strawberry aroma, and soft red fruit flavors. Highly recommended.

More Father’s Day wine:

Father’s Day wine 2017
Father’s Day wine 2016
Father’s Day wine 2015
Expensive wine 106: Graham’s 20-year-Tawny Port

Expensive wine 52: d’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2008

d'Arenberg Dead Arm ShirazThat the best news for the Australian wine business in the past couple of years is the decline in the value of the Aussie dollar says everything anyone needs to know about the struggles the wine industry is enduring Down Under.

There are too many grapes, too many indifferently made cheap wines, and too many expensive wines made in the Parkerized style that is no longer popular.

Having said that, I ?ve tasted several Australian wines in the past year that demonstrate that not everyone is at a loss about what to do next. Yalumba ?s $10 wines are everything that most of the rest of the country ?s $10 wines aren ?t.

And The Dead Arm ($65, sample, 14.5%), like most of d ?Arenberg ?s products, does the same thing for expensive wine. It ?s dark and interesting, with earthiness and spiciness up front and layers and layers and layers of black fruit flavors after that. It ?s not so much that it ?s well made; it should be for this price. The stunner is that it ?s a value at $65, an absolutely amazing and complex wine that tastes of Australia and the McLaren Vale region, but isn ?t over-ripe or over-alcoholic.

Highly recommended. Drink now, or buy to age for a couple of years or even longer. It should become rounder and more integrated and that much more fun to drink. What more can we want from a wine?

Father’s Day wine 2011

A few thoughts for the wine-loving Dad in your life, and remember the wine gift-giving guidelines. The most important? Buy wine that Dad likes, not wine that you think he should like:

? d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab 2009 ($14, sample): Today's metaphysical wine question: Why does Australia bother with so much of the "wine" that it makes when it can do white Rhone blends like this? Crisp, clean and refreshing, with a bit of lime and peach. May be able to find this for as little as $12.

? Project Paso Red 2009 ($14, sample): Decent value for what it is, with lots of red fruit (though not much to differentiate it from other wines in its class). A good choice if it shows up on a restaurant wine list. And let's not forget the zork closure.

? J Pinot Noir Nicole's Vineyard 2007 ($50, sample): Pricey yes, but top-notch California pinot noir with some earthiness in front, quality black fruit throughout (and not too much of it), and a long, terroir-driven finish. Just a lovely wine.

For more on Father ?s Day wine:
? Wine of the week: Evodia 2009
? Father's Day wine 2010
? Father's Day wine 2009
? Wine review: Sangre de Toro 2008